The box office results for the weekend of February 18th- 20th has a three-way battle going on for the top spot. The Unknown winner will be decided on President’s Day. Here are the 3-day studio estimates:
1. Unknown ($21.7 million)
2. I Am Number Four ($19.5 million)
3. Gnomeo and Juliet ($19.4 million)
4. Just Go With It ($18.2 million)
5. Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son ($17 million)
6. Justin Bieber: Never Say Never ($13.6 million)
7. The King’s Speech ($6.5 million)
8. The Roommate ($4.1 million)
9. The Eagle ($3.5 million)
10. No Strings Attached ($3.1 million)
Analysis
It’s been a while since the top six spots all cleared double-figures at the domestic box office. By having a variety of releases over the last three weeks, overall box office receipts have begun to breakout of their respective slump.
Liam Neeson’s “Unknown” opened a couple million short of 2009’s “Taken.” Considering Unknown’s production budget is just $30 million, the chances of this being profitable is no mystery. Now whether profitability status is reached during the theatrical run may linger. However, the DVD and On-Demand should put this property over for Warner Bros.
DreamWorks’ “I Am Number Four” had a modest debut. The flick is being positioned as the next franchise to attract the teenage and young-adult crowd. Which may be a challenge if people decide to read the critical reviews, for they have been mostly unkind. This flick will need to avoid a deep drop next weekend if it wants a to have a shot at garnering profits off its $50 million production budget. Right now, the opening weekend suggests it may only gross that same number domestically. Overseas’ totals may play a pivotal role in assuring people – and the studio – that this franchise will continue.
And then there’s “Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son.” It has been 11 years since the first flick debuted and it grossed over $100 million domestically. The second installment released 6 years later and managed to hit $70 million. Our latest adventure is going to put the series away. As in, there will not be a fourth. Even though the production budget is relatively low at $35 million, this flick will be lucky to even reach that domestically. Twentieth Century Fox has been money (literally) when releasing fam-friendly products the previous two years. Lately though, the magic has seemingly worn off.
Oscar Watch (no ‘flop alert’ this week. You’re welcome The Eagle): “The King’s Speech” is now up to $103 million domestically. “Black Swan” has also crossed the $100 million barrier. “The Social Network” is just under $97 million, which has to be considered surprising since the flick’s subject matter and initial hype during award season was at a fever-pitch.
Sleeper Hit: “Gnomeo and Juliet.” Simply because it held over extremely well from its opening weekend, despite poor reviews and very little promotion from Disney. And, the production budget has been very elusive. So either way, it could be a hit at this point.
This Friday audiences will get “treated” to more action, comedy and 3D. “Hall Pass” will attempt to capitalize on similar premises found in 2011 comedies. Nicholas Cage will lead a young cast in the 3D action flick “Drive Angry.” Reviews will be right here kids.
